Monday, 10 March 2014

New powerful mass spectrometer at the British Geological Survey

The British Geological Survey (BGS) took delivery of a new mass
spectrometer this month. This instrument, acquired with joint funding from the
University of Nottingham, will provide the UK’s environmental geoscience
community access to one of the most precise research equipment for use in environmental
research. Melanie Leng tells us more.

The mass spectrometer is an instrument used to measure tiny
differences in the masses of naturally occurring molecules (chemistry) that
result from changes in the environment. Within the Stable Isotope Group here at the BGS we
have eight instruments that we use for measuring small changes in the chemistry
of our environment. This new instrument has high sensitivity, meaning that it
can detect very small changes in geochemistry or can be used to measure very small
samples. We can analyse, for example, tiny shells from the ocean that are smaller
than a grain of sand. The chemistry of these shells provide information on
changes in the chemistry of the oceans which is linked to past changes in the
size of the ice caps. We analyse sediments that accumulate in lakes and oceans,
and the ice at the poles, to track climate over time. Point sources of
pollution can be traced, for example the sources of high nitrogen levels in
water bodies from agriculture or sewage works. We also
use these instruments in archaeological research, for example to measure the chemistry
of bones and teeth that informs on the diet of ancient people and also helps to
understand trade routes and migrations.

Prof Mel Leng with the new mass spectrometer

The Stable Isotope Group at the British Geological Survey has
a range of different mass spectrometers. The new instrument expands our cutting
edge research capabilities and is available for all UK geoscientists to use in
the course of their research. Please contact us if you think you might be like
to take advantage of our National Capability provision.

Funding to purchase the new mass spectrometer came from the
National Capability funding to the British Geological Survey and the University
of Nottingham.